Clayton Lake, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Gilpin County, Clayton Lake is a Colorado water. The bank is 10,978 feet above sea level. About 4 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Gilpin County. Fraser sits 8 miles from the bank. Then Nederland, 10 miles, and Georgetown, 13 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Clayton Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Species logged across Gilpin County include brook trout, black-spotted cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Clayton Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 17°F in January and 52°F in July. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late May. On average, late May opens the water and early November closes it again. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. The season on Clayton Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Iceberg Lakes is 0.7 miles off. Check the current arrangement for Clayton Lake.